Indicator for windows

• US 10,663,832 B1
• Filed: 08/05/2016
• Issued: 05/26/2020
• Est. Priority Date: 08/07/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Halio Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Kinestral Technologies, Inc.
• Inventors: Nagel, Paul, Dubois, Antoine
• Primary Examiner(s): Alexander, William R
• Assistant Examiner(s): Parbadia, Balram T
• Application Number:
  US15/230,056
• Time in Patent Office: 1,390 Days
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/1309 Repairing; Testing
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/153 Constructional details
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/1533 structural features not otherwise provided for
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/163 Operation of electrochromic cells, e.g. electrodeposition cells; Circuit arrangements therefor
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/18 Status alarms G08B21/02 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 3/10 using electric transmission; using electromagnetic transmission
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 5/36 using visible light sources
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 6/00 Tactile signalling systems, e.g. personal calling systems

Abstract

A window is provided. The window includes an electrochromic device having variable transmissivity and a region of the electrochromic device arranged with an indicator that is configured to indicate one of levels of the transmissivity or changes of the transmissivity of the electrochromic device.

Claims

1. A window, comprising:

an electrochromic device disposed between panes of the window having variable transmissivity; and

a region of the electrochromic device disposed between panes of the window arranged with an indicator comprising an acoustical, vibrational or visual display member that is disposed between the panes of the window and configured to indicate one of levels of the transmissivity or changes of the transmissivity of the electrochromic device.

2. The window of claim 1, wherein the region of the electrochromic device includes a resistive material arranged such that the region of the electrochromic device changes transmissivity more slowly or more quickly than a remainder of the electrochromic device.

3. The window of claim 1, wherein the region of the electrochromic device includes electrochromic material that is controllable independent of a remainder of the electrochromic device.

4. The window of claim 1, wherein the indicator includes lights attached to the region of the electrochromic device, interior to the window and contacting a surface of one of the panes of the window.

5. The window of claim 1, wherein the indicator is configured to indicate one of:

multiple levels of the transmissivity of the electrochromic device, a midway of a change of the transmissivity of the electrochromic device, or a ratio of transmissivity change progress.

6. The window of claim 1, wherein the indicator is an acoustic device attached to the region of the electrochromic device and configured to produce a first sound at a beginning of a change of the transmissivity and a second sound at an end of the change of the transmissivity.

7. The window of claim 1, wherein the indicator is a vibrational device attached to the region of the electrochromic device and configured to vibrate the electrochromic device to indicate the one of levels of the transmissivity or changes of the transmissivity.

8. An electrochromic window, comprising:

an electrochromic device with controllable transmissivity, the electrochromic device disposed between panes of the electrochromic window;

a visual indicator, comprising a visual display member visible through a surface of the panes of the window; and

the visual indicator controllable to show changes or levels of the transmissivity of the electrochromic device.

9. The electrochromic window of claim 8, wherein the visual indicator includes a transparent or translucent tube having therein LEDs (light emitting diodes) or OLEDs (organic light emitting diodes).

10. The electrochromic window of claim 8, wherein the visual indicator combines passive and active manipulation of electrochromic material.

11. The electrochromic window of claim 8, wherein the visual indicator includes lights pulsing at variable speeds or variable brightness.

12. The electrochromic window of claim 8, further comprising:

the electrochromic device including a first region of transparent conductive material and a second region of transparent conductive material disposed between the panes of the electrochromic window; and

a switch coupling the first region of transparent conductive material and the second region of transparent conductive material, wherein the second region of transparent conductive material acts as the visual indicator and is controllable independent of the first region of transparent conductive material, via the switch.

13. The electrochromic window of claim 8, wherein the visual indicator includes electroluminescent wire attached to a pane, interior to the electrochromic window.

14. The electrochromic window of claim 8, wherein the visual indicator includes conductive ink on a pane, interior to the electrochromic window.

15. An electrochromic window, comprising:

an electrochromic device disposed between panes of the electrochromic window;

a visual indicator, comprising a visual display member embedded in the electrochromic window, between the panes of the electrochromic window; and

a controller, configured to control transmissivity of the electrochromic device and configured to direct the visual indicator to indicate levels or changes of the transmissivity of the electrochromic device.

16. The electrochromic window of claim 15, wherein the visual indicator includes one of:

a plurality of LEDs (light emitting diodes), a plurality of OLEDs (organic light emitting diodes), or an LCD (liquid crystal display).

17. The electrochromic window of claim 15, wherein:

the electrochromic device has a plurality of zones, each zone controllable as to transmissivity independent of each other zone; and

the visual indicator includes a portion of the visual indicator in each zone.

18. The electrochromic window of claim 15, wherein:

the controller is configured to support voting for the transmissivity; and

the visual indicator is configured to indicate the voting.

19. The electrochromic window of claim 15, wherein the visual indicator includes an infrared emitter.

20. The electrochromic window of claim 15, wherein the controller is configured to direct the visual indicator to indicate a self-test or diagnostic of the electrochromic device.